What started out as a child drawing on windows in an older sister’s beauty salon, has turned into a long love for a city resident.

Fern Becks, who is nearing 85 years old, has been painting for most of her life. One of her most beloved works though, occurred about 44 years ago when she did a painting of the Three Wisemen traveling across the desert being led by a star.

“I like Christmas and I like animals, so I did it,” she said. “My kids have taken it to school and it has been displayed in churches every year, except this one.”

Becks said the work took her about two weeks to complete and it was done in an art class that was being offered at the high school in 1968.

“The instructor of the class was standing behind me the whole time,” Becks recalled. “Since this one, I never have painted another one like that where it hits you and pulls you in.”

She said people have offered to purchase the painting from her, but she has declined all offers.

“I was painting a portrait for someone who was paying $500 for the piece I was working on. They asked if they could buy that one (Chrismas scene) and I told them no,” Becks said. “They did not even offer a price because they knew once I said no, that was it.”

The painting was done with a brush, but Becks said she has done works with a knife as well.

She also has done works for charitable groups as well.

“I have donated four or five paintings to the Humane Society for their auctions and they have done quite well,” Becks said. “The Humane Society has told me it has brought in some nice amounts.”

The Cheboygan resident still paints today and her favorite subject are animals. She has several hanging up around her home such as a bald eagle and a wolf.